Chapter 9: The Aftermath:

Casey Shraeger's Apartment.

"You really should have gone to the ER!" Walsh admonished his partner, as she sat down at her small dining table.

"I'm fine it's just a bit of a scratch, I don't need a doctor"

"Well that's good because I'm not a doctor" he said grinning and rummaging in her basic first aid kit. Pulling out an anti-septic wipe he grimaced "I'm not going to lie to you this is going to sting like hell Shraeger!" She nodded her reply, as he leant forward, moving a strand of her hair out of the way as he did so. He was so close that she could feel his breath on her cheek, smell the hint of coffee on it, note the tiny creases at the corner of his eyes; she had never paid attention to before. Casey realised that she was holding her own breath, which she let out in a sharp wince as the alcohol wipe stung the collection of small cuts on her face. She closed her eyes to stop them watering, she had done enough of the crying victim routine for one week. As the stinging stopped Casey opened her eyes, to see Walsh looking at her, in an unusual way, she couldn't explain the expression, but he had worn the same look as he stood with her while she made the formal statements following the incident. He smiled slightly, and began applying some cream to her cuts; she hadn't expected him to be quite so gentle. "All done!"

"Great thanks!" Shraeger said, rubbing her neck. "I think I'll go and grab a shower" Her phone vibrated on the table top, she looked at the caller 'Davis Nixon' the screen informed her. It was the fifth time he had called in the past hour.

"Want me to get rid of him?"

"Would you mind?"

"I would be my absolute pleasure Casey!" Walsh grinned, picking the phone up, she bit her lip, Walsh rarely called her by her first name unless there was something wrong. It was nice to hear him say the word without fear or concern in his voice. She tried not to think about how she was going to hide her feelings for him as the hot water covered her body.

Jason was in the kitchen making some coffee when Casey left her bedroom, wearing some pyjamas. He turned to lean with his back to the counter.

"What do you want for dinner?"

"Anything as long as you're not cooking it!" Shraeger casually answered.

"Ouch – well at least you're back to your old self".

"Thanks to you" Casey said sincerely standing in front of him; impulsively he reached out and cupped the cheek that wasn't injured. Her eyes widened in questioning surprise. "I mean it, as soon as I heard your voice in there I knew I was safe and when I saw you..." She couldn't finish her sentence. Walsh's eyes softened, taking in the emotions she was showing him, savouring the moment that she was letting him into her life. Jason leant forward, looking down into her deep eyes, finally their lips met for the first time. Casey smiled against his lips, biting her own, he moved away slightly appraising her.

"I think after the events of the last few days I can safely say that I have never felt for anyone what I do for you – Casey Shraeger I am completely in love with you!" He admitted it, Casey felt like her heart would stop beating, he didn't just have feelings for her in return – he had said those three words. Without hesitation she replied

"I love you too" smiling so much that she thought she would burst, he was still taking her in with his expressive eyes. She looked down and pointed to her nightwear. "Do you prefer my choice of pyjamas?" Casey grinned motioning to the navy blue trousers and the tight grey vest top. Jason wrapped his arms around her tiny waist and pulled her closer to him.

"Yes. Yes I do. But I'd really prefer to find out what's beneath them" He explained with a charmingly cheeky chuckle.

THE END.